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Mountain City man opposes closing alley to through traffic
Owner of fire-damaged Prichard Building requesting move
FROSTBURG — The possibility of eliminating through traffic in an alley between Main and First streets was opposed by one Frostburg resident who told the mayor and council that to do so would turn public property into a private holding and further congest the flow of vehicles.
Victoria Lane resident Bob Sweitzer said he often drives through Alley 24, which separates Main Street Books from the fire-damaged building that once housed Prichard Hardware and more recently Gianni’s Pizza.
City officials are considering the closure after it was requested by Brandon Reece, who owns the former Prichard Building. Reece plans, according to City Administrator John Kirby, to remodel the structure and install doors that open into the alley. The proposal is for the half of the alley near Main Street to be for pedestrian use and the half near First Street to be accessible by motor vehicle for deliveries.
“Traffic on Main Street worsens every day,” Sweitzer said. He said it is often not possible to turn left from Bowery onto Main because traffic is backed up by the signal at Water Street. Thus, Sweitzer said, he often drives through Alley 24 (directly across Main from Bowery) and turns left, or west, on First Street to reach his destinations.
Sweitzer said for more than 100 years there have been businesses at that location that have functioned well with an open alley.
Mayor Arthur Bond said vehicular entrance from the alley onto First Street can be dangerous. He suggested as well that a change in the timing of the traffic signal at Main and Water may be a way to alleviate westbound traffic congestion.
Sweitzer said that allowing more time for westbound traffic to flow through the intersection would only create jams on the other streets at that junction.
There were no other public comments about the matter.
Kirby said he had received correspondence from the State Highway Administration, which does not oppose the closure, and from FrostburgFirst Main Street, which supports the concept. “This proposal does support our goals to build, promote and sustain a vibrant, diverse and thriving business community,” wrote Main Street Manager Maureen Brewer.
A decision could be made by the elected officials as early as the Feb. 18 public meeting.
Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
